FLIP was a towed rather than self-propelled research platform, despite its gadget-filled appearance. It supported research into waves, acoustics, water temperature, density, meteorology, and measurements relevant to anti-submarine warfare. Researchers aboard could adjust experiments and data collection more readily than a remote system permits. The platform cost roughly $600,000 in 1962, while the abandoned refit was estimated at $8 million. Losing it may reveal a capability gap and eventually prompt an attempt to recreate the same function for a predicted cost of $2 billion to $3 billion.
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FLIP's long-lived ocean research value
The towed Floating Instrument Platform offered stable access to deep-ocean measurements whose replacement may cost far more than preserving the original vessel.